Seattle Culture
Seattle Magazine’s Critter Chronicles
Staff members paws and reflect during National Pet Month
By Seattle Mag May 27, 2025

May is National Pet Month, a celebration of the bond between humans and their pets that began back in 1981. To celebrate, Seattle magazine team members want to introduce you to their pets. Happy Pet Month!
Bruno, our 11-year-old Cavapoo, joined us at 8 weeks old from a puppy mill we stumbled upon in West Virginia. We’re in Italy now, but while we were living in the United States he trained as a therapy dog and loved visiting nursing homes. When we moved to Europe, he came along. Bruno has lived in four countries, traveled to six more, visited museums in Budapest and Prague, and adores train rides. In Trieste, his favorite stop is the supermarket — for the treats, of course!
—Estela Rueda, graphic designer
Meet Cooper, a longhaired miniature dachshund with a big personality. He patrols the backyard like it’s his job, “talks” instead of barks, and insists on joining every conversation — often by climbing into a lap to listen in. Smart, dramatic, and convinced he’s human, Cooper keeps us laughing every day.
—Vivian Lai, graphic designer
Our often ornery, infrequently cuddly 3-year-old orange tabby — Autzie — rules our house with mischief. When he does want pets, you must come to him. When he’s satiated, clawed chaos ensues. He follows his favorite person (not me) around the house like a dog. He likes to be chased — what cat likes that? He bats pens off tables and interrupts video meetings. He is equal parts playful and trouble, but often purrs during his daily reign of rebellion.
—Rob Smith, executive editor
Leland (who has 22 toes) barfs on the beds. Alice (total weirdo) barfs under them. Thankfully, they’re both litterbox champs and always down for a cuddle. Just two knuckleheads from Seattle Area Feline Rescue who somehow make the whole house feel cozy and filled with love. They’re two of my very best buddies.
—Sarah Stackhouse, digital editor
Lucky came to us almost two years ago after a rough couple of years on the run and in a shelter. These days, he’s a happy boy spending most of his day outside. It’s been a pleasure watching his personality emerge, and he is now a favorite stop on our mail carrier’s route (she gives him a treat every time she sees him). He’s still very shy of humans, but allows us to lie on the ground at his feet to pet him, which is how I got this photo.
—Corey Maass, digital engineer
This is my Bernese Mountain Dog, Remi. He’s incredibly affectionate with strangers — lazy on his own terms, but always up for a friendly paw shake if you ask. True to his breed, he loves leaning on people or trying to climb into laps. While his couch-hogging isn’t ideal, he makes up for it by letting me rest my head on him. He’s a big and loveable good boy.
—Daniel Anderson, writer